Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-05-14
The GREEN.EYED MONSTER.
BY W. d. s. ATKINSON.

Outside large and comfortable resi-
dencc on the outskirts of great city, q
wild storm ragged. Inside, woman sat
lost in thought.
It would be hard, even for me with so
much imaginative license as q story-writer,
to say what thoughts held this woman al
most SPELL bound before the cheerful log
fire, but the opportunity may be taken to
gather something of her history.
May Worhington is no child; no one
would ever think of her as aught but q
good, thoughtful and experienced woman.
She is only % years old, but her life has
not been all sunshine. Indeed, erpathway
has mostly led her along that side of the
road where the shadows fall thickly.
May Worthington was left with brother
only two years older than herself, before
she was Is years old, to fight her way un'
aided through the world.
May was clever, and by close application
soon fitted herself for teaching some
special branches of study. She and her
brother were we'll liked by all with whom
they came in contact and never lacked
friends.
When May was 20 she lost her brother.
No, he did not die. Sometimes she al
she could have spoken of him to sympa-
thetic friends. AS it was, she knew not
whether he was alive or dead, and-if that
were the only uncertainty! Not that what
folks said Influenced May in her loyalty to
her brother. He was still her brother,
whatever the world might say. But then,
she could not close her ears to what it dad
say, and it hurt her, oh, so much.
After he was gone May found home in
the household of Mr.. Paul Lawrence, as
companion and governess to that gentle
mans young step sister.
Mr.. Lawrence and his young sister had
also lost both father and mother. But the
Lawrences were rich and knew very little
about the losing side in the battle of life.
Yet they cherished kindly and sympathetic
feelings toward lonely May Worthington,
and both Maude Lawrence and her brother
tried in many WAYS to make their home a
pleasant one for May. May knew this and
appreciated their kindness.
For three years she had been with the
Lawrences, during all Of which time she
had been Maude's constant companion and
warm friend. But Paul, kind as he was to
her in many ways, had never attempted to
closely cultivate her acquaintance.
Paul Lawrence was very proud man
very cold and reserved; q man who did not
invite confidence and who would not force
his acquaintance or friendship upon any.
But one felt sure that his friendship once
secured, would be worth retaining. He
was one of those men with q calm exterior
whose passions are none the less intense
because hidden far out of sight.
May Worthington had plenty to think
about on this wintry night. Yet, some
how, they were stay home thoughts,
and after starting upon q short trip they
always came back and stopped at Paul
Lawrence.
All, we'll! May Worthingten was only
woman, no more and no less, and shall We
say that she was foolish or unwonanly in
that she almost unconsciously, perhaps),
loved unasked? She was not the first wo-
man who has apparently wasted her love,
nor will she be the last, and, somehow, it
seems as thoug they are oft-times the best
of women who love where love is unsought.
May Worthington had never dissected her
feelings or cross-questioned her heart and
would, therefore, never have admitted
that she loved Paul Lawrence. But she
did.
And just as her thoughts emerged from
their day dreams, and just when the least
little tear of loneliness trickled adown her
pretty face, there came q rap at the door.
When it opened it admitted-Paul Law
renee.
Paul was twelve years older than May,
but he hardly locked it, and there was al
most beyish shyness in his manner as he
said:
@Miss Worthington, I wish you would
take pity on my loneliness this evening and
let me sit with you awhile. I don't know
how you feel tonight, but am particularly
@blue"-the more 80, perhaps, as am all
the time thinking about Maude, who is SO
soon to leave US"
May babe her visitor welcome, and Paul
drew q chair up to the fire. Mr.. Lawrence
did not permit the awkward silence to last
very long, for, drawing his chair yet closer
and with very earnest look upon his face,
he went on:
"May. I do not know why never told
you before, perhaps because was hardly
sure Of it myself, but love you and want
you to be my wife,"
Not word said May.
~This is Q lonely house and will be more
so when Maude is gone. Stay and brighten
it for me, will you, dear?"
Silence again.
aYou wish for little time to consider,
perhaps. Take it, if you wish. 1 am a
quiet man, May, as you well know; I do not
VICAR MY A0ois ut'S'A NY clooS0s DUS i love
you, dear. Of that am now quite sure"
Somehow, by this time Paul Lawrence's
chair was very close to Mays. Somehow,
he held Mays two small white hands in one
Of his own. Somehow, Mays pretty head
rested upon Paul's broad shoulder, and,
somehow, brilliant diamond ring was
slipped upon Mays finger.
And the storm outside stormed on un-
,eeded.
A year has passed away, yet in that same
cosy sitting-room and before just such an
other CHEEKY fire are seated Paul Lawrence
and-his wife.
They are very happy, as indeed they have
oeen all the year.
@You remember one year ago tonight,
iear?" asked Paul.
@Yes, Paul. I shall never forget You
made me very happy then, and you have
been 80 good to me since. Do you know,
Paul, sometimes wonder If our love and
our lives will always run as smoothly az |
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